John C. Miller

With his family by his side, John C. Miller, age 89, passed away, Monday, February 24, 2025, at St. Monica’s Senior Living. He was born in Kenosha, WI, November 24, 1935, son of the late Frank and Louise (Nee: Mandernach) Miller. John, the youngest of 11 children, was raised on a produce farm which taught him the value of hard work.

John was a graduate of St. Catherine’s High School, “Class of 1954”. On May 18, 1957, John was united in marriage at St. Rose Catholic Church to the love of his life, Helen M. Willmes. He was employed by S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. for forty-four- and one-half years, until his retirement in 1998. John was an active and longtime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and most recently a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. He enjoyed golfing, cribbage, Schafkopf, testing his luck at the casino playing craps and watching all Wisconsin sports especially when surrounded by family. Family was most important to Dad, faithfully attending celebrations, milestones, and activities of his children and grandchildren. He loved coaching his children in the yard and on various athletic teams and was known for his famous “Beer Brats” and 4th of July parties.

He was deeply loved and will be sadly missed by his wife, Helen of 67 years; children, Jody (Dick) Angel, Jenny (Gary) Hovan, John/Jack (Carol) Miller, Andrew (Amy) Miller, Amy (Tom) Schaefer; grandchildren, Quinn (Kristina) Angel, Elizabeth (Nick) Gardon, Susan (Max) Meinerz, Catherine (Ben) Kusters, Zachary (Charlotte) Hovan, Christian Hovan, Leah (Brian) Krupo, Joseph Simons, Nathan (fiancee MacKenzie) Simons, Poppy Miller, Bluesette Miller, Alaina (Kyle) Merrick, Alexandra (Mitchell) Datka, Ava Schaefer, Audra Schaefer; 19 great grandchildren; sisters, Gladys Penczykowski and Joyce Gyurina; sister-in-law, Mary Willmes; brother-in-law, Tim (Lynn) Willmes; special family friend Barbara Walker; nieces, nephews other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his siblings, Bernard (Betty) Miller, Lucille (Harry) Lichter, Norman (Phyllis) Miller, Dolores (Robert) Burke, Geraldine (William) Gursky, Frank (Dolores) Miller, Richard (Vivian) Miller, Jean (Harry) Fischer; brothers-in-law, Stan Penczykowski and John Gyurina; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles (Helen) Willmes; in-laws, Arlene (Joe) Blommel and Kathleen Ruffalo.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating John’s life will be held 12:00 pm, Noon, Friday, March 7, 2025, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St. Mt. Pleasant, WI, with Rev. Marco Valentini officiating. Relatives and friends are welcome to meet with the family for Visitation, Friday, from 10:00 am until the time of Mass at the church. Private interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery. Memorials to his granddaughters' medical fund, “The Schaefer Girls Medical Fund” Horicon Bank or to “St. Catherine’s High School Frank and Louise Miller Family Legacy Fund” have been suggested by the family.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Stephany Lichter and the entire staff at St. Monica’s Senior Living, and Michael Hintz RN and the staff at St. Croix Hospice for their loving and compassionate care.